USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1926 > Part 12
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buy the thing that looks the best; and looking best is; not a matter of accident. Besides the relationship of art teaching to the business interest of the community, there is a civic value in art training. One cannot raise standards of taste without raising standards of appre- ciation. The man or woman who strives to make his. house better takes pride in having his town better. Every civic "'booster" knows that there is nothing which stimulates the interest and pride of citizens more than a consciousness of the growing beauty of the town in which they live. Thus the spiritual value of art training goes with its practical value. One can- · not change materially the taste of a people already grown up. One must begin with the children in the public schools.
For two years the material in three art text books. has been used to promote the aims of the art instruc- tion in the Braintree Schools. These art books were explained in a previous report. Recently a Teachers' Manual has been added to the art reference books. Properly used this manual will simplify the problems. of conducting the lesson and directing the class while in action. It will be of assistance in making the funda- mentals of art more intelligible. And will make clear that the same thought and effort, the same pedagogical principles need to be applied to teaching Drawing and, Art as to any other subject.
A course of study was completed last year and is being used up to the present time. It is being revised to suit the new time allotment given to the drawing classes and to conform in arrangement with the Teachers' Manual.
During this past year each grade teacher has saved, in a special envelope, one average drawing of each completed problem. These were to serve as a.
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memoranda and sample for the next year's work .. Since last September I have found many new teachers. thankful for this envelope. As the year progresses. and a new sample is saved it takes the place of the old one which is returned to the pupil.
An ideal way to note the past year's work would be to have for each grade a large portfolio containing usual mounting cards on which would be fastened papers and any art work chosen from the work of all the pupils in town in that particular grade. The port- folios would be kept in wall cabinets in a room adjoin- ing the Superintendent's office, and available to all who might benefit by the varied ideas and suggestions.
I find it difficult to say definitely that the standard of the drawing classes has improved since the prceed- in year. But I can say there is decided change for the better since 1923 or 1921. I feel that with the refer- ence material, the subject matter, the working material and the time allotment we have so far collected that the proper method of procedure will improve and develop.
At the High School the pupils wish for more drawing. I am glad there is a possibility of a wish being fulfilled. The drawing periods are far too few. A pupil at this age can appreciate the value of an art course if it is presented attractively.
The present course of study divides the pupils into groups. Beginners and advanced students. The First Year people have practically the same work each year. But the Advanced pupils have a different pro- gram outlined each pear. The same fundamentals are repeated, but by means of different problems. Then. too, the materials and tools worked with vary.
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The freehand drawing classes and mechanical drawing classes are divided in the same manner. Both hve textbooks and both progress as rapidly as they are capable. A certain amount of work must be done, but due credit is given the pupil who accomplishes extra work. With the large classes and short time it is usual to keep groups working similarly. Individual help, criticism, and attention is given in the groups as long as the time lasts.
Soon I hope a definite three year Art Couse will be followed in the High School. It should be arranged to help the business student as well as the college student. A General Art Course might be th.c title.
Art can be on an equal standing with any other subject in the High School provided it is given the proper backing. Those people who have interest in other directions do not realize the forward movement in Art Education apparent in the last few years. Not only are the Art Associations pushing the value of art training, but the manufacturing and business concerns, connected with production of art materials, are ex- pressing an interest by distributing, at their own ex- pense, monthly pamphlets as "Every Day Art", "The Drawing Teacher", "American Art for Grade Teachers", and "The Art Service Bureau Outline for Spring", (Summer, Winter, Fall). These are adver- tisements to be sure, but they help to advance the cause of Art Education.
In closing my report I thank the School Com- mittee, the Superintendent of Schools, Principals, and teachers for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ATHALIE HOBELL.
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REPORT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
January 3, 1927.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
The progress of the Instrumental Music Depart- ment has been steadily maintained throughout the schools of the Town, and results have proven such growth to be of healthy and consistent nature.
Interest on the part of those performing and the various other classes participating together with the addition of a large number of beginners, resulted in the saturation point, in regard to the time allotted to each school, being reached early in the school term during September.
Public recognition of the work and performance of the High School Orchestra has been attested in several appearances during the past year, the most noteworthy among which was the broadcasting from Station W. E. E. I. during Educational Week.
The number of instrumentalists at the various schools is as follows:
Noah Torrey School 32
High School 41
Hollis School 50
' Penniman School 13
Jonas Perkins School 25
Thomas Watson School 15
I wish to extend my appreciation and thanks to the teachers and principals who in many ways have helped to make Instrumental Music a reality for several boys and girls, and to the Braintree Rotary
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Club, and all those who by donations of instruments or contributions to this department have largely aided in its success.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK W. J. LEWIS.
REPORT OF VOCAL MUSIC SUPERVISOR
January 3, 1927.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my annual report of vocal music in the Braintree Schools.
Braintree Schools now realizes an equipment in music books which is uniform and adequate for all grades and of the highest standard. To teach music- reading, music-writing, train voices and develop song- singing in twenty minutes a day, it is most essential that no time is lost with poor and insufficient music text books, and that we have the most attractive and interesting song material. The "Music Education Series" has been carefully described in a previous report.
Beginning the new year, the six large schools will be supplied with a set of phonograph records, that make up a course in music appreciation that paralells the Music Education Series, a complete and practical course in understanding the masterpieces of music through phonograph records made by eminent artists. The valuable pedagogical principle that underlies this course is, proceed from known to unknown. It begins with presenting in each grade a "bridge" record
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which leads the class naturally from songs which they have already sung and learned to love, to the same songs played by various solo instruments of the or- chestra with accompaniments. In this new medium of expression are now presented the great instrumental and vocal masterpieces and leads directly to the in- telligent enjoyment and appreciation of the best known musical compositions. With these new records and new portable phonographs we will have a musical equipment that will make it possible to give the chil- dren abundantly, while they are in school, the joyful experience of hearing and sharing in the rendition of beautiful music. In this learning to appreciate and to love beautiful music, we believe that our boys and girls will be inclined to observe and to acquire a taste for all beauty. Such stimulation of childrens' aesthetic instinct will in turn tend to enrich, refine, and ennoble their entire lives.
Music in the High School should prepare for two types of use; first, the creating of a happier, finer, better balanced citizenship through enlarging the use of music as leisure time activity ; and second, the lay- ing of the foundation, at least for music as a vocation. Recently a leading educator stated that statistics show that music as a profession involves more people than lawyers, doctors, and dentists combined. According to this statement music should be placed with the other vocational subjects and treated as such. With the opening of the new High School, I recommend that we take steps to establish courses in music including harmony, music appreciation, musical history, and theory, to meet the needs of the pupils who are going to make music their life work.
Such courses in the High School would necessitate another teacher who would give full time to the High School music. The increased number of classes in
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the grades have made my schedule so crowded that some primary classes are only visited once a month, and under present conditions I have not been able to meet the demands in the High School for organized glee chorus work, and added courses could not be at- tempted unless I have an assistant in the grades or a special teacher for the High School music.
In closing my report I wish to quote a prominent educator on music as a fundamental need of humanity.
"Music supplies a fundamental need of humanity because it appeals directly to the heart, tends to soften and mellow the sensibilities, makes a direct appeal to the higher emotions, and in all ages and among all peoples has been the medium of approach to the In- finite. Music, like literature and art, awakens, stimu- lates and develops an appreciation of beauty. Some- how music opens the windows of the soul, mellows and softens the whole being, speaks directly to the heart, and is a medium of expression where words are in- adequate. Music begins where speech ends."
Respectfully submitted,
INGRID E. EKMAN.
REPORT OF PHYSICAL DIRECTOR
January 3, 1927.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
Since Physical Education has but recently become a part of the curriculum of the schools of Braintree, my report can serve to show more of what I hope to
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accomplish than what has been done. Judging by the ready response and willingness of the children to learn new things, and the wonderful co-operation of the principals and teachers of the schools, I am sure that it will not be long before this subject will be con- sidered as valuable to Braintree's future citizens, as any other subject in the schools.
Physical Education should aim to bring out the potential qualities of the body, mind, and soul of the individual and group, by providing well chosen mate- rial built on the foundation of the nature and needs of the individual for practical future living. We should help the growing child to live a free and vital life and allow free expression of the social instincts. We know that the mind controls the body, and we therefore should make this organism an efficient instrument. Here, too, we may so mold their personalities by in- stilling in them high ideals and standards for a better influence on their companions, and thus live in har- mony with the rest of the world. And lastly Physical Education fortifies them against disease by living a pure hygienic life.
So far I have devoted my time to introducing this subject through a typical plan of classroom work so that during the interval between my weekly visits to each school, the teacher may carry on the work at their required morning and afternoon periods. This plan follows the suggestions offered in the State bulletin on Physical Education, and I have divided the lesson as follows :
INTRODUCTION-For mental and physical prepara- tion for a lesson.
CORRECTIVE-To secure good posture and to help correct bad or faulty posture in child.
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EDUCATIONAL-For alertness, control, coordination and inhibition.
HYGIENIC-For stimulating the systems of the body. They aim at health ends.
RECREATIVE-Games, athletics, and folk dances.
During my visits to the schools each week, the work is carried on out-doors, weather permitting, where new work is taught and a great deal of time devoted to natural activities, folk dances ard games.
With the progress the children are making now, they will be ready for my Rational Athletic Plan by spring. This is simply an interpretation of the last two parts of the above typical class plan, Hygienic and Recreative. It consists in bringing athletic exercises and the method of athletic competition into the regu- lar physical education weekly program. Each pupil, instead of a select few, gets the benefit of some real athletic work, and learns the rudiments of several wholesome outdoor sports. If it be deemed advisable, a Point System or Individual Records may be kept. Records should always be secondary to the main pur- pose, which is Exercise-vigorous, wholesome, all- round exercise for everybody.
The new High School with its gymnasium, appa- ratus, lockers, and showers, will afford a wonderful opportunity to further develop this plan.
Respectfully submitted,
H. P. HERMANSEN.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
January 3, 1927.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit the annual report of health work done in the Braintree Schools.
Once each week every school is visited on a regu- lar schedule, and general health work is done in all cases where needed.
The school physicians have examined each child physically as is required under the Massachusetts law. This year some twenty-eight hundred children have re- ceived such an examination.
All children in the schools have been weighed and measured. A careful record has been kept of each child, and in cases where individuals have been found underweight advice has been given to parents. Parents are notified in all cases where any serious physical defect is discovered, and are urged to take up the matter with their family physician.
The teeth of all children to the fourth grade are examined in preparation for the work of the Dental Clinic.
All pupils are 'examined at frequent intervals for cleanliness and for symtoms of contagious disease. Treatment is given for minor troubles such as cuts, bruises, toothache, boils, etc. When children are ab- sent from school, visits are made to the homes and advice given to parents in many cases.
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Mothercraft is being taught in the eighth grades to the girls, and general instruction in home-making.
In closing, I would say that the past year has seen a distinct improvement in the health of our boys and girls, and this improvement is bound to continue as long as we have such a spirit of helpfulness and co-op- eration between pupils, parents, and teachers, as has `been manifest in the past year.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPHINE D. CARSON.
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
January 3, 1927.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of School, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I hereby submit my report as Attendance Officer for the year December 31, 1926.
I have worked in conjunction with the State Board of Labor and Industry, also the Friendly Aid Associa- tion, and the School Nurse.
I have investigated 697 cases as reported to me and found pupils absent for the following reasons :
Sickness 118
Truancy 58
Lack of clothing, shoes, etc. 38
Kept out by parents 106
Found on street and taken to school 34
Left School 48
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Non-registration (new pupils placed in school) 14
Found on street and taken home 31
Left Town 21
Employment Cards
9
Tardy
29
Factories and stores visited
15
Found at home and taken to school
61
Department of Immigration cases ivestigatedi
0
Destroying and loss of school property
3
Disturbances at school and on streets 5
Home employment cards granted 2
Taken to court 0
Sent to Wrentham School
0
Reported to school nurse
18
Boys placed under my charge by parents 22
From farm to school (under 14 years) 24
Evening calls on parents 43
I have investigated all cases of the schools includ- ing the Continuation School and the High School, in the interest of parents, superintendent of schools, and at all times having in mind the welfare of the Town in general.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. HANNAFORD.
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COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF THE BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL
Town Hall, Wednesday Evening, June 23, 1926, at eight o'clock.
March, "Graduation" Ascher
High School Orchestra
Song, "Carmena" Wilson
School Chorus
Salutatory Essay, "The Magnificent Idler" Louise Oakman
Essay, "Great Moments in Science" Wayne Besselman
Essay "The Field of Medical Science" Dorothy Simonds
Rosas Selection, "Over the Waves" High School Orchestra
Presentation of Philergian Essay Prize Mrs. Andrew S. Merrill, President of Philergians
Essay, "The Land of White Pagodas" Joseph McInerney
Song, "Nightingale and Rose"
Lehnert
School Chorus
Award of Scholarship Prizes Mr. Elmer E. Abercrombie, Chairman of Trustees of Braintree School Fund
Essay, "Something Besides the Three R's"
Mary Halloran
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Song, "Starry Night" Densmore
Senior Girls
Valedictory Essay, "The Importance of Music in Schools" Bernadine McCusker
Presentation of French Medals and Diplomas
Class Song
Words by Mary Halloran
MEMBERS OF CLASS
Bernadine Marie McCusker
Mary Louise Oakman
Mary Claire Halloran
Joseph John McInerney Wayne Leo Besselman
Dorothy Edna Simonds Maybelle Alice Abbott Ruth Frances Ashworth Abraham Lincoln Bloom Herbert Oswald Boardman Isabel Frances Bregoli William John Burns Louise Marie Carney Douglas Cassell
Elizabeth Cochran
Doris Louise Creed
Julian Earl Davis Dorothy Drake Flora Anna Eldridge
Thelma Marguerite Farrington Louise Richards Fitts Elna Sophie Fredrickson Eleanor Mary Gannon Robert Francis Gerrish Margaret Elizabeth IIaley Ethel Irene Haynes Olive Grace Hennessey Ruth Naomi Henry
Thomas Joseph Henshon Earl Cunningham Hollis Grace Evelyn Howis Robert Wheeler Kenyen Frances Irene Klaus
Gertrude Eleanor Krohn
Carol Lawrence
Evelyn Marguerite Le Vangie
Roger Michael Le Vangie
Helen Louise Little Rosalind Maxham Eleanor Dolores Maxwell
Marguerite Nora McCarthy Paul Peter Mealey
Henry Cutting Merriam
Frank LeRoy Nickerson Blanche Irene Our
Mary Margaret Wendell Pearson
Elvie Amelia Peterson
Mary Frances Pratt Mary Alice Reardon Sibyl Frances Robinson Dorothy Frances Scanlan Adeline Helen Steele Herbert Robert Stenberg Harold Irving Stewart. Dorothy Rhea Studley Eleanor Virginia Sullivan
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Arnold Roger Swinimer Olive Elmira Tardiff Fannie Burrell Vining
Edward Aloysius Walsh
Francis Joseph Walsh
Margaret Ethel Walsh
Conlan Ernest Warren Alphons Ramon Weyhert
Mary Regina Weyhert Clara Emeline Wynot
Harold Giles Wynot
CLASS OFFICERS
Wayne Besselman, President Blanche Our, Vice-Pres. Bernadine McCusker, Sec. Joseph McInerney, Treas.
FRENCH MEDAL WINNERS
Bernadine McCusker Louise Oakman
Mary Hallorau
PHILERGIAN PRIZE ESSAY WINNER Bernadine McCusker
CLASS FLOWER
Rose
CLASS COLORS
Lavendar and Silver
CLASS MOTTO
"Victoria Patentiam Coronat"
First six names arranged according to rank.
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The following is a list of all the grammar school. graduates in the Town of Braintree, June 22 - 24, 1926 ..
HOLLIS SCHOOL
Jean Sutherland Baker
Lyman Winslow Chick
Walter Nelson Miller
Martha H. Farquharson
Robert Francis Murphy
Mildred Ann Frazier
Grace Godfrey Neal
Hilman Charles Hall Ellen Harrison
Farlyn Ruth Newcomb Harold Ellsworth Norris
Pauline Hamilton Harvey
Louise Estelle Payne Louise Ann Quinn
Virginia Gertrude Horsman
Caleb Kelley Hurst
Russell Wade Symmes
Wilhelmina Carlisle Johnson
Miriam Irene Thomas
Leon Wendell Jordan
Mary Elizabeth Vinton Albert John Walsh
Francis Gustaf Luoma
Violette Phyllis Marston
Harold Clifton Mckay, Jr.
Inez Fletcher Wilder
Chester Elroy Williams
Robert Gage Woodsum
PENNIMAN SCHOOL
Stedman Field Arnold
John Leo Gavin
Frank Louis Benson
Mary Josephine Gavin
Robert Alton Caswell
Florence Mary Kennison
William Henry Collins
Dean Jackson Kingsbury
Francis Cotter
Rose Ella Lehosky
Addison Ralph Crafts
Donald Francis Meserve
Margaret Jane DeCoste
Marjorie Eleanor Plummer
Joseph Anthony Frazier
Edward Paul Long
George McDonald Lonie Mary Catherine McDonald
Arthur Charles Mclaughlin
James William Nickson Florence Alma Palmer Francis Waldo Richards Wilbert Smith Rideout Harry Woods
Olaf Alfred Saunders Myrtle Lillian Walker Charles Seldon Woodbury
Douglas Woodrow Prince
JONAS PERKINS SCHOOL
Robert Bates James Edwin Brooks
Mae Livingston Bruce Dorothy Evelyn Crandall Edna Catherine Cunniff Ella Morton Edson Joyce Fiske Christopher McRae Garland Herbert Leslie Hardy Walter Kenneth Hartman Lillian Esther Kearney Marguerite Ellen Lavery
Ruth Power
Joseph Arthur White
Dorothy Louise McKeough
Irene Mary McKeough
1
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THOMAS A. WATSON SCHOOL
Donald Arthur Berrio
George Walker Charlesworth
Myrtle Marion Collier
Bertha Vesta Lunan
Norbert Walter Lyon
Harry William Crossman
Frederick Clinton Messenger
Rhoda Victoria Dosenberg
Charlotte Matilda Moore
Arthur Campbell Drennan
Paul Albert Fredette
Newman Weston Page Olive Joy Pratt
Florence Lillian Furse Annie Goldie
Bernard Augustine Smith
Marion Esther Harvey
Emily May Streiferd
Michael Hennebury
Peter Henry Walsh
NOAH TORREY SCHOOL .
Marjorie Ethelynde Armstrong Grace Elizabeth Cardarople Dorothy Gwendolyn Clapp Eleanor Diaute Helen Iren Katheryn Davis ·Claire Lucille Diauto
Harriette. Isabelle Farrar Irma Frances Ferguson Cecelia Barabara Fitzsimmons Mildred Dorothy Ford
Thelma Elizabeth Harrington Dorothy Helen Levangie Mildred Marie Kerr Irma Elizabeth Lawry Evelyn Mary Ford Catherine Stella Monteforte Esther Louise Nelson Ethel May Newcomb
Agnes Sophia Peterson Mary Elizabeth Scanlon Beulah Evangeline Smiley Alice Muriel Sullivan
Anna Sullivan
Ethel Augusta Waite
Richard Hennebury
Marie Carrie Herman Ruth Kelland
Earl Francis Connors Milton Billings Cook Ruth Helena Crane
Joseph Vincent McVay
Barbara Elizabeth Reed
Reo Victor Albonetti Nicholas Leo Basile Richard Albion Cain Anthony Cordaro John James Davis Henry Francis DeCosta Joseph David DeCoste Robert Francis Foley Geno Galetti
Anthony Nicholas Galotti Lewis Howard Gould Edward Hedvig Maurice Alden Mansfield Leonard Sewell Marshman Chester Earl McGibbon Joseph Michael Mealey Francis Edwin Morse Louis Charles Morse Edward Roy O'Brien John Adolphus Reed Edwin Francis Russell Earle Marshall Simonds Edmund Basil Smith Richard Bertram Vonberg
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PARENT - TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS
Hollis School
President, Mr. F. N. Nissen, 62
Holmes Street, Braintree.
Secretary, Mrs. Mabel Pierce, 42 Common Street, Braintree.
Treasurer Mr. Charles E. Thomas, 20 Wyman Road, Braintree.
Penniman School
President, Mr. Archie Morrison, Liberty Street, South Braintree.
Secretary, Miss Eleanor G. Brown, 32 Hollis Avenue, Braintree.
Treasurer, Miss Clara N. M. Holbrook, 185 Middle Street, Braintree.
Noah Torrey School and Pond School
President, Mrs. Arvilla Hayden, Franklin Street, South Braintree.
Secretary, Miss Dorothy Fessenden, 1060 Washington Street, South Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. Frederick W. Rowell, 33 Tremont Street, South Braintree.
Jonas Perkins School and Abraham Lincoln School President, Mrs. Stanley Reed, 21 Dobson Road, East Braintree.
Secretary, Mrs. Simon Rideout, 193 Shaw Street, East Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. C. Frederick Tarbox, 27 Willard St., East Braintree.
Thomas A. Watson School
President, Mr. Melvin Jenkins, Trefton Drive, East Braintree.
Secretary, Mrs. Newman Page, Trefton Drive, East Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. Newman Page, Trefton Drive, East Braintree.
.
BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL
Oct. 1, 1926
Service
Department
Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Began
Principal
Post Grad. 5
James L. Jordan
Bates College
18years
Sept. 1918
Clerk
Seniors 75
Thelma C. Mackenzie
Braintree High
1 year
Sept. 1925
Sub-Master Science Jrs. 107
Samuel E. Lawrence
Rhode Island State
10 years
Sept. 1921
English
Sophomores 106
Avis C. Walsh
Wellesley College
4 years
Sept. 1923
English
Freshmen 136
Gladys E. Maxfield
University of Maine
5 years
Sept. 1926
English
Julia V. Cox
University of Washington 1
141/2 years
Nov. 1926
Latin
-
Ida Wilsker
Brown University
4 years
Sept. 1924
French and Spanish
Hazel M. Summerville University New Hampshire
2 years
Sept. 1926
French and Biology
Rosalia E. Knight
Bates College
4 years
Sept. 1925
History
Ruth M. Malone
Boston University
5 years
Sept. 1922
History and Civics
John N. Laughton
Colby College
1 year
Sept. 1926
Mathematics
Katherine K. Waldron
Boston University
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